I recently purchased an NEA-15 with a 12.5" barrel and 12 inch rail. Here is my review, as well as a range report.
I had some big reservations about purchasing an NEA-15. This was partially based on the opinions of many on these boards, as well as my own perceptions about the finish of the rifle. In pictures the finish looked grey and in some it looked blotchy. However, after taking the gun to the range, I couldn't be happier with it.
First Impressions
The rifle came in a brown cardboard box with enough padding to ensure it didn't move around. There's really not a lot more to say about that!
The finish, to my surprise, looked fantastic. It had been oiled up and looked nice and black. The texture of the rifle is different than most other ARs. It is not as smooth as most, but this didn't bother me. For those people who have used the NEA railed vz58 handguards, the finish is exactly the same. It should be noted that in certain light, the finish does look grey, although with the black stock and pistol grip, the contrast is kind of neat.
The safety switch was very stiff at first, to the point that I had to use a lot of force to switch it from safe to fire. However, after working it a few times it loosened up and performed as it should.
The gun is as solid as a rock - there is absolutely no play in the upper and lower receivers or between the receiver and the handguard. Maybe this is to be expected with a free-float handguard, but I have seen other ARs with a lot of play in the handguard. The action is crisp and the trigger pull is nice and not gritty.
Range Report
Today at the range, I fired a total of 180 rounds. This included 1 box of American Eagle Tactical (AE), 1 box of Winchester White Box (WWB), 3 boxes of Sellier and Bellot (S&B), and 4 boxes of Norinco CJ95 (Norc). The American Eagle and WWB shot the best, but unfortunately I shot both boxes before I decided to dedicate one target per brand of ammo...poor planning on my part.
I fired 3 round groups until I zeroed my Eotech 552. I also used an Eotech G23 which made the process easier.
I was generally able to keep the groupings to just over 1 inch at 50 yards.
I had no failures to fire, extract, or eject. I did have 5 failures to feed in the last 80 rounds, although I suspect this was a magazine/ammo problem. It only happened with the Norinco ammo, and only in my LAR15 mags. I never had any issues with my 5 round Norinco mag.
S&B ammo at 50 yards
Note: The circled holes are off because I was still zeroing at the time.
Norc at 50 yards
Ultimately, I am thrilled with this rifle. It looks beautiful, cycles flawlessly, feels great in the hands, and shoots great.
I wrote this review hoping that other people who were on the fence about an NEA-15 would have a bit more information with which to make a decision.
I had some big reservations about purchasing an NEA-15. This was partially based on the opinions of many on these boards, as well as my own perceptions about the finish of the rifle. In pictures the finish looked grey and in some it looked blotchy. However, after taking the gun to the range, I couldn't be happier with it.
First Impressions
The rifle came in a brown cardboard box with enough padding to ensure it didn't move around. There's really not a lot more to say about that!
The finish, to my surprise, looked fantastic. It had been oiled up and looked nice and black. The texture of the rifle is different than most other ARs. It is not as smooth as most, but this didn't bother me. For those people who have used the NEA railed vz58 handguards, the finish is exactly the same. It should be noted that in certain light, the finish does look grey, although with the black stock and pistol grip, the contrast is kind of neat.
The safety switch was very stiff at first, to the point that I had to use a lot of force to switch it from safe to fire. However, after working it a few times it loosened up and performed as it should.
The gun is as solid as a rock - there is absolutely no play in the upper and lower receivers or between the receiver and the handguard. Maybe this is to be expected with a free-float handguard, but I have seen other ARs with a lot of play in the handguard. The action is crisp and the trigger pull is nice and not gritty.
Range Report
Today at the range, I fired a total of 180 rounds. This included 1 box of American Eagle Tactical (AE), 1 box of Winchester White Box (WWB), 3 boxes of Sellier and Bellot (S&B), and 4 boxes of Norinco CJ95 (Norc). The American Eagle and WWB shot the best, but unfortunately I shot both boxes before I decided to dedicate one target per brand of ammo...poor planning on my part.
I fired 3 round groups until I zeroed my Eotech 552. I also used an Eotech G23 which made the process easier.
I was generally able to keep the groupings to just over 1 inch at 50 yards.
I had no failures to fire, extract, or eject. I did have 5 failures to feed in the last 80 rounds, although I suspect this was a magazine/ammo problem. It only happened with the Norinco ammo, and only in my LAR15 mags. I never had any issues with my 5 round Norinco mag.
S&B ammo at 50 yards
Note: The circled holes are off because I was still zeroing at the time.
Norc at 50 yards
Ultimately, I am thrilled with this rifle. It looks beautiful, cycles flawlessly, feels great in the hands, and shoots great.
I wrote this review hoping that other people who were on the fence about an NEA-15 would have a bit more information with which to make a decision.
